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The firing of the police chief in Pittston Township, on a 2-1 vote of the supervisors, is perhaps the most powerful development yet that cries out for a regional police department in the greater Pittston area.

Almost everything that can be off-kilter is in Pittston Township. The chief says he is trying to run the department by the book but many cops have been defiant. The chief allegedly has created a hostile work environment since he took over in January, 2013.

Some cops have the ear of Supervisor Stephen Rinaldi, the former township police chief. He was one of the two votes to fire Police Chief Robert Avvisato.

Pittston Township is a politically intense community. Fire department operations were the subject of many hours of debate for many years. The land-rich township generally shuns involvement in inter-municipal initiatives and focuses internally. The citizens often are the losers.

Pittston Township residents who are angry at current events can take steps to create better government and improved services. Residents should demand that Pittston Township not only take part but lead the way toward a regional police department. Such a department, operated by a police commission made up of delegates from eight or so towns would have 50-plus officers under highly qualified leadership that would be answerable to the commission, which in turns reports to member communities. A cop with a gripe would have a procedure to follow to have his or her grievance heard.

The Pittston area has been struggling to get a regional police department in place. Pittston Township has not been involved and some Pittston City officials oppose the idea on parochial grounds. But the region needs such a department.

Meanwhile, Pittston Township citizens should petition the county court to increase the board of supervisors to five or seven members. Three is inadequate. More voices are needed and a wider representation of the community is necessary, as evidenced by the vote to fire the chief at a late-morning, three-minute session. A question on whether or not to boost the number of board seats should be on the ballot as soon as possible.

We expect that citizen turnout at upcoming Pittston Township meetings will be massive. We urge residents to focus on the municipality’s greatest needs. Progressive thinking is essential at this time.

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